The riddle of alabaster royal
Record details
- ISBN: 0312169833
- ISBN: 0312171218
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Physical Description:
325 p. ; 22 cm.
print - Publisher: New York : St. Martin's Press, 1997.
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Great Britain History 1714-1837 Fiction |
Genre: | Historical fiction. Romantic suspense fiction. |
Available copies
- 4 of 4 copies available at Bibliomation. (Show)
- 0 of 0 copies available at Southbury Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 4 total copies.
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School Library Journal Review
The Riddle of Alabaster Royal
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
YAÂCaptain Jack Vesper, recuperating from wounds received fighting Napoleon, travels to his recently inherited mansion only to learn that all of his new neighbors believe it to be haunted. Strange events start happening to him even before he arrives. To further complicate his life, he meets lovely Consuela Jones, who believes that her father was murdered on Vesper's estate. She needs his help to prove this and to learn why. In language reminiscent of Jane Austen, Veryan includes many details that bring the Regency period to life. Students will appreciate the witty dialogue, which varies depending on the educational level of the speaker. Seeds of romance are gently sown and the closing chapter leaves little doubt that there will be a sequel for it to develop. However, the elements of mystery and suspense are much stronger, culminating in a dangerous climax fought with a surprise antagonist.ÂClaudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The Riddle of Alabaster Royal
Kirkus Reviews
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Another roistering Regency romance of mystery and suspense from the author of Lanterns (1996), among many, many others. Veryan fans will recognize some enjoyable staples here: a beset but tender-hearted hero, kind to children and animals; his entertaining chums; lively and irreverent servants; a set of noble nasties; and a heroine of Waspish waist and wit. There's also plenty of action, of course, and here the calamities confer on a supposedly haunted mansion, plus a murder or two and general mayhem. Captain Jack Vespa, only son of elegant Sir Kendrick, has returned from the horrors of Wellington's war in Spain with a game leg and a possible concussion. Sir K. is enraged that Jack, rather than lead a sensible idle life in London, intends to take over the crumbling family estate of Alabaster Royal in the village of Gallery-on-Tang. But Jack persists, and despite an attempt by someone to run him off the road, he not only moves in but rehires as caretaker a local rowdy (interviewed in the stocks). Eventually, Jack also hires on a gamey variety of theatrical servants, since no one in the village will come near the ``haunted'' mansion. Then there are the invaders who live in Alabaster Royal uninvited: an Italian duchess and her fiery-tongued, lovely granddaughter Consuela, who between rages explains that she's there to find the murderer of her father, the famous artist Preston Jones. Before long it appears to Jack that Consuela's suspicions might be well founded--especially after a strangling attempt, shots in the cemetery, and other distractions to peaceful country living. Meanwhile, two clever friends from the war enliven the sleuthing, and there'll be an exotic Indian lady, a cloisonn vase, paintings with secret messages by Jones, and a dead gallery-owner. It all ends with a watery chase and a deadly surprise--and, naturally, an appropriate union. Very good Veryan. Jollity, junkets, and a juicy mystery.
Library Journal Review
The Riddle of Alabaster Royal
Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
In another exciting, humorous, romantic adventure by the always reliable Veryan (The Mandarin Affair, LJ 10/1/95), Capt. Jack Vespa is invalided out of Wellington's army and travels to his newly inherited estate in Dorsetshire, where he hopes to regain his health in the quiet countryside. Rumors that Alabaster Royal is haunted don't bother Jack at all, but they do make it rather difficult to get decent help. The peace he expects to find proves elusive, what with a coach accident, assault, robbery, attempted murder, and a beautiful woman (and her grandmother) hiding in his houseÂnot to mention things that go bump in the night. As it rapidly becomes obvious that something evil is happening, Jack and an eccentric group of friends and servants try to discover what it is before disaster strikes. Fans will be waiting for this well-written and immensely entertaining book (and the sequel, which is already in progress), and newcomers to Veryan's work are in for a treat.ÂElizabeth Mary Mellett, Brookline P.L., Mass. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publishers Weekly Review
The Riddle of Alabaster Royal
Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Dashing good fun from genre master Veryan (The Lord and the Gypsy) in her best effort yetÂa Regency that rises farther above the formula than her fine novels usually do. Home from the Napoleonic Wars, Captain John Vespa, called Jack, is looking forward to rest and relaxation at his ancestral home, Alabaster Royal. Instead he finds a purportedly haunted house; an eccentric Italian duchess and her granddaughter, the redoubtable (and lovely) Consuela Jones; a disreputable valet; surly local gentry; and an intriguing mystery. It seems Miss Jones believes her father not only died on Jack's property but was murdered there. Skeptical at first, Jack is slowly convinced that there may be something to this tale, especially after Consuela is brutally attacked in his cellar. Charming and droll, the story is further enlivened by well-drawn secondary characters. Skilled pacing and dramatization carry events along after Jack finds his unexpected guests. And the mystery remains a mystery nearly to the very end, with never a plot line dropped or a too-neat tie in sight. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved